Electron ionization mass spectrometry of cobalt(III) β-diketonates and monothio-β-diketonates possessing aryl and fluorinated alkyl substituents

Abstract

Electron ionization positive ion mass spectra of 15 substituted cobalt(III) β-diketonates and monothio-β-diketonates, CoIIIL3, where L = RCXCHCOR′, R = phenyl, 2-thienyl, or 2-naphthyl; X = O or S; and R′ = CHF2, CF3, C2F5, or n-C3F7, show a marked dependence on the ligand. Molecular ions, [CoIIIL3]+•, are observed only for some of the more highly fluorinated complexes (R′ = C2F5 or n-C3F7). The [CoIIIL2]+• ion, possibly generated by ionization of CoIIL2 formed by thermal degradation, or by electron ionization of CoIIIL3, typically decomposes by elimination of a radical, i.e., L• or R′•, to yield ions containing Co(II); subsequent decompositions proceed preferentially by loss of even-electron neutral species, also to yield ions containing Co(II). Cobalt-containing ions in which fluorine has rearranged to the metal decrease in variety and abundance for the ligands with higher fluorine content. When metal-bonded oxygen is replaced by sulfur, fluorine migration to Co(III), rather than to Co(II), is preferred. These trends are consistent with a combination of several different concepts including the ability of the metal to undergo valency change, the principle of Hard and Soft Acids and Bases, and the inductive capabilities of the ligand donor atoms and of the R and R′ groups. Ion decomposition pathways are proposed. Keywords: mass spectrometry, cobalt complexes, β-diketonates, fluorinated chelate complexes.